4A: Forming An Opportunity Belief

Jaylynn Rivchin

Forming An Opportunity Belief

Parking is an issue for individuals who attend the University of Florida, some days it is impossible to find a parking spot that corresponds to the right decals given. There are parking garages and zones but most of them require decals that some students may not be able to qualify for. A way to get around the decals is parking after specific times or parking in one of the Gainesville City parking spots. In order to park in these spots, you need to pay extra attention to the time or else you can get towed or fined. I believe that parking can be organized better with the use of technology or more parking spots.

This has been an existing need since I started school at the University of Florida. I have also heard from students that are older than me that this issue has always been a trend. People have given up and have just been accepting the fines and the fact that there will be no parking. One way to get around this issue is to build more parking garages or lots. Another way is to develop an app that allows individuals to see which spots are available and which ones are not so it minimizes the amount of traffic and stress of looking for available spots.

1. Hayley Futernick, 20

Do you have a vehicle with you at the University of Florida, If so, where do you park?

I do have a car, thankfully my apartment complex has a  parking garage for us but when I do need to park on campus I try to only park after 4:30 to avoid a fine. I park at the Norman garage but even though a new addition of parking was added, it still was only for certain decals that I cannot qualify for. 

How often do you find yourself stressed out about finding parking?

Almost every time that I take my car to go somewhere on campus, everywhere I look is filled so I end up wasting a lot of the time trying to find a decent spot.

Is there a certain time when you believe trying to find parking is the worst?

I think midday is the worst time to try and find parking. I also think after 4:30 because everyone is trying to grab a parking spot since the fines and decals have been lifted for the day.

Do you think that a mobile app to help organize parking or new lots/garages for parking would benefit the community?

Yes, I would use the app all the time and would even pay for it if it reduces the amount of stress and traffic that there is. 

2. Martha Jacobs, 21

Do you have a vehicle with you at the University of Florida, If so, where do you park?
Yes, I have my car but I rarely move it from the spot given to me by my apartment complex. If I do take my car somewhere I try to find the nearest lot or garage that allows me to pay for my parking spot so I do not need to worry about my car getting towed or getting a citation.

How often do you find yourself stressed out about finding parking?
All the time, I find it most difficult when I have far classes but there is no general parking area so I cannot drive meaning I have to leave my apartment much earlier than I would need to just so I can walk and make it to class on time.

Is there a certain time when you believe trying to find parking is the worst?
I think it is all the time. The only time when it is a little quiet or some spots are open is in the middle of the night when no one has classes. 

Do you think that a  mobile app to help organize parking or new lots/garages for parking would benefit the community?
Yes, I think that more garages or lots would help a lot more than an app because it is offering more opportunities and spaces for people to park.

3. Katerina Petruzzelli, 20

Do you have a vehicle with you at the University of Florida, If so, where do you park?
I used to have my car with me but I decided not to have it with me this semester. I would park in any lot but only after the decals were lifted. Some times I would have one of my friends sit in my car while I go do something so in case someone tried to tow me they can drive my car somewhere else.

How often do you find yourself stressed out about finding parking?
I used to a lot, I thought it was frustrating having to find parking so I found myself not using my car as much and ended up bringing it back home.

Is there a certain time when you believe trying to find parking is the worst?
During the day because people are trying to get to classes and are desperate for spots, some people will leave hours earlier to find a spot and still make it to class on time.

Do you think that a  mobile app to help organize parking or new lots/garages for parking would benefit the community?
Yes, I think that either of these would help minimize the traffic and the stress that parking causes. I think the community would appreciate this a lot and people would be grateful.

Summary:
The original opportunity is still very much present after interviewing individuals on the issue of parking at the University of Florida. I believe that my new opportunity solidified the question on if this was a real issue or not. After taking with these individuals I have gained a lot of information showing that students struggle each day with this type of issue. I believe that if there was a solution like a new garage or new lot or an app that detects available spots, people would be a lot less stressed, and would have an easier time finding parking.